#Disneyland60.....Today in Disneyland History........July 31, 1955

Casey Jr. Circus Train Open

July 31, 1955

“Casey Junior coming down the track, coming down the track…” The date was July 31, 1955. The Casey Jr. Circus Train (based on the train of the same name from the 1941 Dumbo) finally made its debuts at Disneyland.  Located in the back of Fantasyland next to Dumbo, the train was to open with the rest of the park on July 17 but it wasn't operating properly and it would take two weeks of additional testing before it was finally ready to ride. Did you know that this perennial family favorite was originally conceived as the park's first roller coaster before plans were scaled back?  The Casey Jr. Circus Train gives passengers a tour of many miniature versions of classic Disney animated film scenes. This tour is similar to the one given on the slower paced Storybook Land Canal Boats but does not incorporate narration. Did you know that the Casey Jr. Circus Train can also be found in Disneyland Paris? At Disneyland Paris however unlike the slow and leisurely paced California version, this version is designed as a roller coaster for small children through Storybook Land, giving riders good views of the Storybook Land castle and other scenes that are not as visible from the Storybook Land Canal Boats.  When you hop on board this delightful miniature railroad, you are actually riding in the sleigh-style train cars that were transplanted from the merry-go-round that later became King Arthur Carrousel. And the classic theme song for the attraction was written by Frank Churchill and Ned Washington, who also worked on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio.  All Aboard!   And that’s what happened today in Disneyland’s history.